Junior Reps Wrap: Round One

The Raiders Harold Matthews Cup team started the day on a high, defeating the Dragons 24-10. 

The home side impressed early, with a team try down the left edge seeing Thompson Hurford score in the eighth minute. 

Campbell Lloyd scored the second try of the match eight minutes later, darting over from dummy half to get out to a 12-0 lead. 

Jeziah Charles was next on the scoreboard, running a great line to score, taking the home side's lead out to 18-0. 

The Dragons scored just before the break to reduce the deficit, with the Raiders taking a 18-4 lead into the half-time break. 

The Dragons were first to score in the second half, to get them back in the game at 18-10 with 25 minutes remaining. 

The Raiders hit back in the 41st minute from a scrum, with a flick pass from Atlas Atilua finding Karney Kelly on the wing to score. 

The home side were able to hold on to claim a 24-10 round one win. 

It was a perfect day with the boot for Rafferty Gordon, slotting all four conversions. 

SG Ball Cup 

The Raiders SG Ball Cup team produced an impressive comeback against the Dragons to claim a 32-24 win in round one. 

The Dragons raced out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, before two tries just before half-time to Zildjian Tafili and Kye Anderson saw the home side trail 20-10 at the break. 

Tiger Campbell pounced from dummy half five minutes into the second half to continue to bring the Raiders back into the game, before a Jamie Cowling long ball to Denzel Veikune resulted in another try. The game was all locked up at 20-all, with 20 minutes remaining. 

A Cooper Johnston double in the space of three minutes gave the Raiders the lead for the first time in the game before the Dragons got one back with five minutes to go. 

A strong second half from the Raiders saw the side claim an eight point win, 32-24. 

Lisa Fiaola Cup

The Raiders Lisa Fiaola Cup team impressed in their first hit out of the season, scoring nine tries in their 48-12 win over the Dragons. 

Co-captain Evie Perry scored a hat-trick, while Sarah Price bagged a double. 

It only took two minutes for the home side to get on the scoreboard, with second rower Chelsea Tyrrell crossing. 

There was no stopping co-captain Meah Beecham in the seventh minute, shrugging off multiple defenders to score. 

Price was next on the scoreboard, receiving an offload from Perry to score in the 14th minute. 

Perry then scored her first of the afternoon in the 18th minute, before two tries to the Dragons in the final minutes of the half. 

The Raiders went into the half-time break leading by 10 points, 22-12. 

The home side wasted no time in the second half, with Perry scoring her second try in the opening minute. 

Janarah Walford was next to score in the 44th minute, before Perry completed her hat-trick in the 48th minute. 

Price scored her double after providing good support from a Daisy Pipe break, before a strong run and offload from Maddison Higgins saw Jordyn McFadden rewarded with a try. 

A five try to nil second half set the Raiders up for a strong 36-point win in round one. 

Tarsha Gale Cup 

The Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup side made it 4/4 for the day with their 32-10 win over the Dragons. 

The home side started the game in style, with a break from fullback Ellie McCormack, who then got the ball away to co-captain Eliza Taylor to score under the sticks in the fifth minute. 

Front-rower Uta Uatisone Poka was next to score, storming through the Dragons defence in the ninth minute. 

A beautiful short ball from Adelaide Norris to Sara Small gave the Raiders their third try within the first 13 minutes of the match. 

Summer Luamanu did it all herself just before half-time, showing strength to break through several defenders to score. 

The home side took a 22-4 lead into the half-time break. 

The Raiders scored one of the tries of the day five minutes into the second half, with a chip and chase regathered by Norris, getting the ball away to McCormack who then found Frankie Capello to score. 

Hard running second-rower Kymiah Stewart scored the Raiders' final try of the match in her first game in Tarsha Gale Cup after graduating from the Lisa Fioala Cup last season. 

The 22-point win will give the Raiders a confidence boost going into the rest of the season. 

Images by Mrs G Sports Photography